EU election observers at work in Tunisia

Experts in Tunis ahead of presidential elections

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, SEPTEMBER 4 - The European Union has sent
an election observation mission (EOM) to Tunisia ahead of
presidential elections on September 15 and parliamentary
elections on October 6, on the invitation of the country's
Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE).

The EU decision to send an EOM is in line with its policy to
support democratic consolidation in Tunisia since 2011.

Marie-Violette Cesar, deputy head of the EOM in Tunisia, said
a team of 10 electoral experts has been in Tunis since August
23, and 28 long-term observers joined them on September 2.

"They are now spread out in all the regions of the country,
and will be joined by another 28 short-term observers during the
days of the elections," Cesar said.

On the days of the elections, a total of about 100 European
observers are expected, and they will be joined by a delegation
of members of the European Parliament for parliamentary
elections.

The EOM's mandate is to observe and analyse the entire
electoral process in order to make an impartial, neutral, and
objective evaluation.

After voting is complete, the EOM will make a public
statement with its preliminary conclusions, with a full analysis
including recommendations for future elections to follow later.

This EOM, the fourth since 2011, is led by head observer
Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a European Parliament vice-president.